Where is God calling De Smet Jesuit?

Meaningful experiences begin with companionship, an inspiring mission, and a pervasive sense of gratitude.

De Smet Jesuit was founded in 1967 in response to the growing need for Jesuit secondary education options in St. Louis. Our vibrant story continues today. And it remains a story about companionship. We are building a learning community for students of the present and future. We are building on the backs and shoulders of those who came before us, inspired by a sense of gratitude for all our gifts. De Smet Jesuit High School continues to be a companion in the St. Louis community, providing academic excellence to students, passing on the traditions of the Catholic faith, teaching the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and advancing the mission of the Society of Jesus. 

Each person brings valuable experiences to our school community.

One of De Smet Jesuit High School’s hallmarks is building and maintaining relationships in the context of a dynamic college preparatory environment. For us, it’s personal. In a world that pushes us into silos and leans toward compartmentalization, we invite all students to learn in a school that is not only community-centered, but also experience-focused.

We commit to delivering a college preparatory academic program that inspires students to develop their God-given gifts and talents, and to serving students with a variety of academic abilities. We also commit to ongoing comprehensive improvements across curriculum, instructional practices and professional development for faculty and staff. Our priority is to celebrate the gifts and talents of all.

The totality of who we are as humans is honored, respected, and cultivated at De Smet Jesuit High School.

Why? Jesuit secondary education is rooted in a "whole person” approach to the formation of students. The spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development of our students requires an extensive, fluid, and dynamic curriculum that extends beyond our classrooms and engages every member of our school community. We commit to forming students who are well-rounded in their interests and abilities and to creating environments for a holistic learning experience for every student. We support character development and prioritize the mental health and wellness of our students, families, faculty and staff. We are committed to our mission of forming men for others both inside and beyond the classroom.

In his address to Jesuit high school alumni worldwide, Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., then Superior General of the Society of Jesus, spoke about the educational objective of a Jesuit institution:  to form men for others; men who will live not for themselves but for God and his Christ—for the God-man who lived and died for all the world; men who cannot even conceive of love of God which does not include love for the least of their neighbors; men completely convinced that love of God which does not issue in justice for others is a farce. . .” The world is De Smet Jesuit’s classroom.

Our motto—men for others—invites us into an education that requires us to be hope-filled and engaged in our vibrant world.

We commit to developing students who embody the characteristics of men for others through curricular and co-curricular programs infused with experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Providing our students with real-world experiences with a primary focus on Christian service and the promotion of justice is foundational work to prepare our students to be men for others and grounded in faith.